Holiday kickoff event returns: Tree Lighting Party at the LCCC

LINCOLN CITY – After a summer and fall full of construction, Lincoln City Cultural Center is counting its blessings. One of them is the new Plaza parking lot, which is ready and waiting for the center’s annual gift to the community, the Tree Lighting Party. The fun will begin at noon on Friday, Nov. 24, the day after Thanksgiving.

This free public event will launch the Lincoln City holiday season with a Make-n-Take Ornament Workshop, the reindeer photo booth, complimentary cookies, carols by the Sweet Adelines, the illumination of the community tree and a visit from Santa. Admission and parking are free.

Friday activities will begin at noon with a family ornament making workshop, downstairs in the Makers Place at the Lincoln City Cultural Center. At 4:30 pm, crowds will gather in the auditorium and hallway for singalong carols with the Sweet Adelines and the festive countdown. Santa Claus is scheduled to arrive immediately afterwards at about 5 pm.

This year’s community tree, installed in a new dedicated sleeve in front of the historic Delake entrance, was donated by Brett Hagedorn of Big Foot Christmas Trees in Dallas. It was transported free of charge by Joe Moore from the Marion/Polk Chapter of Oregon Small Woodlands Association. It was erected by crews from Cascade Civil Corp., on site to build the Plaza, and decorated by the Cultural Center’s visual arts director, Krista Eddy.

This annual event is made possible by the Morgan Family of Kenny’s IGA, who will be providing the festive holiday cookies, and Joe Speer, our key volunteer in red. Weather permitting, the tree will be illuminated every evening through the month of December, on the northwest lawn of the LCCC. For more information or to volunteer, contact Judy at 541-994-9994.

LINCOLN CITY ART FESTIVAL

Also this weekend at the Cultural Center: The Lincoln City Art Festival, a festive event featuring 32 vendors, live music, drawings and a café. The festival hours are noon to 6 pm Friday, Nov. 24, and 10 am to 4 pm Saturday, Nov. 25. Admission and parking are free.

Friday’s music schedule will feature “Guitar Bobby Wentz at noon, followed by Chris Baron and Two Secrets at 2:30 pm. On Saturday, enjoy The Tiger Ghost Show with Dave and Ben Wentz at 10 am, and The Greg Ernst Trio at 12:30 pm.

Stop by the raffle table to see a variety of prizes, including art donated by vendors and the grand prize, “Crabby” the Bear, a bear carved out of old growth redwood by local artist James Lukinich. Drawings will be held on the 25 ^th at 3 pm. Need not be present to win.

For more information about the Lincoln City Arts Festival, contact organizer Shelley Shandra, lincolncityartfestival@yahoo.com or 860-307-1898.

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